Technical Abstract:
'Sahara Sunset' is a new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus acetosella. The new Hibiscus was originated in Poplarville, Miss. and is a product of a mutation induction program. The parent of the present new cultivar is an unknown Hibiscus acetosella Wels. Ex Hiern seedling. The present new cultivar, selected as HAC06-11, is a seedling selection from a group of seedlings produced from seed of open pollinated purple leaf Hibiscus acetosella Welw. Ex Hiern. which were exposed to gamma-ray radiation from a Colbalt 60 source at the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture in Tifton, Ga.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of 'Sahara Sunset'. These characteristics in combination distinguish 'Sahara Sunset' as a new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus acetosella: (1) Spreading upright growth habit. (2) Unique multicolored maple-like ornamental foliage with two dominant color regions, burgundy gray with an outer band of pink. 'Sahara Sunset' has small insignificant purple flowers induced by short days . The cultivar 'Sahara Sunset' has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with changes in environment and cultural practices such as temperature and/or light intensity without, however, any variance in genotype.